Why is sesame viewed as a major allergen and declared in the ingredients of foods – while sunflower seeds and oil are not? Also, since seeds are an issue, should we be worrying about mustard and mustard seed? Dr. Watson answers a reader’s question.

You’ve just come home from the doctor’s office. You have a white prescription slip for an EpiPen and a newly diagnosed sesame allergy for your child. Life is about to change, but rest assured, food allergies can be managed.

Sesame is yet another one of the highly allergenic foods. So much so that the European Union and Canada have added it to their priority allergen lists, which include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, wheat, eggs, fish, shellfish and soy.